DEVELOPING YOUR CORE

14 Jul DEVELOPING YOUR CORE

This blog details what we covered in the first session of a 4 week clinic series hosted at Trident CrossFit.

In this 4 Part clinic series we will cover the CORE, LOW BACK & HIPS, SHOULDER, AND FOOT & ANKLE.

Let’s start our discussion with a detailed description of just exactly what the “CORE” is. The human body’s “CORE” is made up of an inner and outer unit.

THE CORE IS MADE UP OF AN OUTER AND INNER UNIT

The Outer Core consists of Abdominals, Gluteals and Erector Spinae

The Inner Core Unit is more complex:

THE INNER UNIT:

TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINUS

POSTERIOR FIBERS OF INTERNAL OBLIQUE

ANTERIOR FIBERS OF EXTERNAL OBLIQUE

PELVIC FLOOR

MULTIFIDUS

DIAPHRAGM

LOWER ILIOCOSTALIS AND LONGISSIMUS(ERECTOR SPINAE)

THORACOLUMBAR FASCIA CONNECTS DEEP TO THE SPINE THE LATS, THE INTERNAL OBLIQUES AND TVA.

Here are some pictures to better visualize these muscle systems.

THE FOUR SLINGS: THE OUTER UNIT

The muscles around the hips, pelvis and torso develop “four slings” that support the spine and body in a 360 degree orientation. Depending on which position your body is in or moving into, one or more of these slings are at work.

These 4 basic CORE exercises should form the foundation of any athlete’s CORE stability program. A weak CORE effects ALL movement and weakens power force generation through the extremities. Ever attempted to fire a cannon out of a canoe?

REAL EXERCISES

There are many exercises that train the core, but these form the foundation on which all others build.

THE FRONT PLANK

THE SIDE PLANK

THE HIP LIFT OR GLUTEAL BRIDGE

THE BIRD DOG

HERE IS HOW TO DO THEM

PLANKS: FRONT AND SIDE PLANK VERSIONS.

Start with front plank holds of 10 seconds, repeat 6 times. Over weeks work your endurance up to a static hold of 30 seconds. Then you would repeat 3-4 sets of 30 second holds. For the side plank: start with 5 reps per side, hold each rep at the top for 2-3 seconds. Over a period of weeks, increase the reps to 10 on each side. Again, do 2-3 sets.

GLUTEAL BRIDGE/HIP LIFTS:

Bridge up and hold for 2-3 seconds. Start with 2-3 sets of 10 reps. Advanced bridge: while holding the up bridge position, straighten out one leg and hold for 2-3 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Do a total of 5 on each side.

BIRD DOG

Aim for 5 -10 reps per side. Keep the pelvis level, reach out with the arm and leg. The thumb should be up toward the ceiling, foot flexed and drive the heel back. Do NOT lift the arm and leg. Instead, reach and get long, this will really activate the core. This exercise is great for the deep muscles of the lower back.

Bonus Video

WHAT EVERY ATHLETE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND

According to Moore’s Clinical Anatomy, Hilton’s law, espoused by John Hilton in a series of medical lectures given in 1860–1862, states that in human anatomy, the nerve supplying the muscles extending directly across and acting at a given joint also innervate the joint.

It is this law that governs the reason why a fixated, compressed or misaligned joint can and does cause weakness in the muscles that cross that joint.

“Tightness in the hips will cause and inhibition, or weakening of the gluteal muscles. There are those out there on the internet who declare that inhibition of a muscle is a myth, but understand that this is based in hard neuroscience. INHIBITION OF MUSCLES CAN RESULT FROM COMPRESSION OR MISALIGNMENT OF A JOINT OR FROM TIGHTNESS OR HYPERACTIVITY IN THE MUSCLES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THAT JOINT. OFTEN TIMES PAIN AND OR ARTHRITIS CAN LEAD TO MUSCLE INHIBITION AND WEAKNESS.”

we will cover hips and low back in week # 2 of our series

WHAT ABOUT THE GHD?

THE GLUT HAM DEVELOPER IS ESSENTIALLY A STRAIGHT LEG SIT UP AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED “A REAL CORE” EXERCISE.

SAME GOES FOR BARBELL ROLL OUTS

WHAT TO BE CAREFUL OF WHEN DOING BARBELL ROLL OUTS:

DO THIS:

ENGAGE YOUR GLUTS BEFORE YOU INITIATE FORWARD MOVEMENT

DON’T DO THIS:

DON’T ROLLOUT FARTHER THAN YOU CAN MAINTAIN COCONTRACTION OF BOTH YOUR ABDOMINALS AND GLUTEALS.

WHAT ABOUT KTE/T2B

Knees to elbow (KTE) and Toes to Bar (T2B) . THESE ARE GYMNASTICS MOVEMENTS THAT CAN HELP BUILD STRENGTH FOR THE PULL UP, BUT THEY ARE ALSO SPINAL FLEXION BASED MOVEMENTS.

REMEMBER THAT ALL “REAL CORE” EXERCISES ARE ONES THAT TRAIN THE CORE’S MAIN FUNCTION> STABILITY, THAT IS CHECKING SPINAL FLEXION AND EXTENSION.

With over 17 years of experience, Dr. Fontaine is a Chiropractic physician in private practice in Northern Virginia. He is the clinical director of Potomac Physical Medicine. His practice focuses on combining an integrative approach to muscle and joint pain syndromes using sports chiropractic and Active Release Techniques® (A.R.T).

He trained at one of the country’s leading spine care facilities (Texas Back Institute), holds certification with the American College of Sports Medicine, and is a Full Body Certified ART provider. A former collegiate baseball player and an avid athlete, Dr. Fontaine is dedicated to athletes and understands the needs of active individuals. He is an active member of DC Tri Club and Trident CrossFit and has completed over 30 Triathlons including, IRONMAN 70.3 Timberman, St. Anthony’s Triathlon, and Daytona Frogman. He is also active in his community supporting Fairfax County Fire & Rescue as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Firefighter.

Dr. Fontaine has worked at the professional level with two MLB teams who make their spring training home in Florida. As a member of the ART IRONMAN Performance Care Team he treated athletes at IM Florida and the IM 70.3 World Championships. He is the creator of a blog, POTOMACPHYSICALMEDICINE.com, and has been a contributing author for Triathlete magazine, The Journal of the American Chiropractic Association and StrengthCoach.com. He is also a speaker in his local sports community providing athletes with knowledge and insights into preventing injury, resolving pain, and optimizing athletic performance.